Fumigation



UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

EDWARD WATSON, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

'FUMIGATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,407, dated June 13, 1893. Application filed January 23, 1892. Serial No. 419.076. (Specimena) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD WATSON, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fumigation, which are set forthin the annexed specification.

My invention relates to the vaporization of whatever matter may be desirable for fumigation, and is applicable to all purposes for which fumigation may be applied.

Inasmuch as the object of my invention is to produce vapor by the action of heat generated by placing combustible matter in contact with oxide of chromium, and then igniting the mixture and allowing it to maintain an incandescent condition Without flame, and with the matter to be vaporized in direct contact with the oxide of chromium,it is obvious that its use can not be confined to anyone specific purpose.

Fumigation is applied to many practical purposes, among which may be mentioned,

the vaporization of medicinal agents for in-- halation, of matter for disinfecting purposes, for the preservation of matter from putrefaction, or the ravages of insects or other pests, or to render clothing, or localities obnoxious to their presence, or for the vaporization of matter as a perfume, or as an insecticide, &c.

The purpose of my invention is to vaporize matter, and the choice of agents capable of vaporization by my process, or the use to which it may be applied must be left to the one who uses it. Organic matter thus ignited in contact with oxide of chromium will if purely volatile be vaporized, and the chromium oxide remains. If the organic matter ignited in contact with oxide of chromium be non-volatile, then it will be consumed, and will leave the oxide 'of chromium contaminated with the incombustible residue. In this process when oxide of chromium has been ignited in contact with volatile organic matter, the volatile matter is mostly transformed into vapor, by the heat of the incandescent oxide, before it comes in direct contact with the glowing oxide, and the vapor passing through or in contact with the oxide maintains the incandescent condition.

In practice I may add to the oxide of chrocombustible organic matter which would not be vaporized by the heat of glowing oxide of chromium, and add to the mixture any substance, organic or inorganiccapable of vaporization by the heat generated by igniting the mixture.

In igniting a mixture of oxide of chromium and organic matter for the purpose of generating vapor, it must not be allowed to flame, and if when ignited, a flame is started, it must be at once extinguished, as the flame would consume the organic matter. The best way in practice would be to ignite the mixture with a coal or spark, or, to use a primer of a little oxide of chromium witha substance which would not easily start with a flame, and then transfer it to the more highly inflammable mixture. In preparing this combination forfumigation, care must be exercised, that the oxide of chromium be not overloaded with organic matter, as, with too much organic matter present, it is diflicult to maintain an incandscent condition of the oxide of chromi um,

without a flame. Inasmuch as the agents used for fumigation are almost unlimited, they may be used separately or in combination. In selecting oxide of chromium for the purpose, that made by decomposing chromate or bi-chromate of ammonium is far preferable.

This process of fumigation or vaporization of matter, differs from the well known process by means of such agents as furnish oxygen, and will support combustion when air is excluded. By my process the oxygen must be derived from the air. It also differs from methods of vaporization by the application of heat supplied outside of the matterto be vadesirable for the purpose of fumigation or vaporization. As an example of non-combustible matter capable of vaporization by heat, which I may vaporize by mixing it with or dissolving it in combustible matter for the purpose of vaporization by my process, may be mentioned, mercury, iodine, &c. Any matter capable of vaporization by heat may be mixed with matter capable of maintaining combustion or incandescence in oxide of chromium when ignited and allowed to burn without flame, and be used for the purpose of my invention.

Having described my invention, and given the general rules to be observed in applying it for the purpose of vaporizing matter generally, it may bewell to describe one or more forms, or methods of applying it according to the specification.

As an illustration of a mixture of dry matter, we may take as an example of gums, olibanum, as an example of dry matter of a different nature, naphthaline. Either of these substances may be mixed with from one to five parts to one part of oxide of chromium. About equal parts by weight will always be successful. Mix the ingredients together, then ignite the mixture, and to avoid flame, a good way is to take up a little of the mixture on the point of a small knife blade, light it with a match, and if it flames, let the flame burn out, then drop the glowing oxide on the mixture to be vaporized.

As an illustration of a liquid substance, spirit of turpentine may be taken, which may be mixed with oxide of chromium in about the proportions above named for dry matter, and then observe the same precautions about igniting the mixture. The oxide left after the oil has been vaporized may be used repeatedly for the same purpose, and any other volatile oil may be alternately or repeatedly vaporized in the same way, and with the same oxide of chromium.

In vaporizing liquid matter, as the requirements are, that the matter to be vaporized be in contact with the ignited oxide of chromium, the process may be made continuous by bringing the liquid in contact with the oxide of chromium in such a manner that the quantity will be continuously supplied.

As an illustration of vaporizing volatile noncombustible matter, may be given, chloride of mercury, one grain, oxide of chromium and combustible organic matter, of each five grains, mix all together, and ignite as above described. The organic matter will support slow combustion, and the heat will vaporize the chloride of mercury.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- 1. The herein-described process of fumigation or vaporization of matter, which consists in mixing with or bringing in contact with oxide of chromium, combustible organic matter to be vaporized, and then igniting the same,

. and allowing the oxide of chromium to remain in an incandescent condition without aflame, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The herein-described process of fumig. tion or vaporization of matter, which consists in mixing with or bringing in contact with oxide of chromium, combustible organic matter, and non-combustible matter capable of vaporization by heat, and then igniting the mixture, and allowing the oxide of chromium to remainin an incandescent condition without a flame, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

EDWA'RD WATSON.

Witnesses:

Jos. J. EMERY, CORNELIUS L. HARVEY. 

